Obituaries

We now have over 7,000 obituaries collected about the interred here at Silverbrook Cemetery.

The obituaries are transcribed by the volunteers of the Friends of Silverbrook Cemetery from various sources.  If you see an opportunity for an addition or a correction, please email our obituary editor at obits@friendsofsilverbrook.org.

Walker, Mitchell

Mitchell Walker, 90
June 3, 1921 — Jan. 22, 2012

Niles Daily Star, Published online 10:36pm Monday, January 23, 2012

Mitchell Robert Walker, 90, of Oak Creek, Wis., departed this life on Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012.

Walker

Mitchell was born June 3, 1921, to the parentage of Walter and Minnie (Mays) Walker in Woodstock, Tenn. His early years were spent in Missouri and Arkansas.

Mitchell did construction work as well as factory labor and retired from El Rico in Benton Harbor. He lived in Benton Harbor before moving to South Bend, and Milwaukee would become his home throughout his later years.

He is preceded in death by his brothers, James, John, Joseph, Walter and Roosevelt Walker, and sister, Luella Banks.

In 1966, Mitchell wed Janet Henry, who survives. He is also survived by three sons, Wesley (LaDonna) Henry, Roosevelt L. (Crystal) Walker and Robert James (Lisa) Walker, all of Benton Harbor; two daughters, Jean Henry of South Bend and Victoria (Maurice) Finley of Pensacola, Fla.; 26 grandchildren; a host of great-grandchildren; brother, Alfred (Ruth) Walker of Niles; and a sister, Minnie Garrison of South Bend.

Funeral services to honor and celebrate Mitchell’s life will be held Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012, at BrownFuneral Home in Niles beginning at 2 p.m. Mitchell will be laid to rest at Silverbrook Cemetery.

Those wishing to leave a message for the family, upload a photo or write a letter of condolence may do so at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or on our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home in Niles.

Hunt, Nellie

Nellie Hunt
April 23, 1882-Oct. 26, 1974


Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 28, 1974, page 2, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library

Mrs. Nellie Hunt, 92, of 1220 S. 14th St., died at 7:50 a.m. Saturday at the Michigan Skilled Care Center, after an extended illness.

A homemaker, Mrs. Hunt was born April 23, 1882 in Indiana and lived in the area most of her lifetime.  On June 18, 1904 in Valparaiso, Ind. she married Robert E. Hunt, who died July 15, 1954.

She is survived by a son, Herman of Niles; two daughters, Mrs. Edythe Rudolph and Mrs. Pearl McBain, both of Niles, nine grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Pifer Chapel of the Swem-Smith Funeral Home with the Rev. James B. Blair of Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church officiating.

Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery.  Friends are calling at the funeral home.

 

Erving, Ora Lee

Ora Lee Erving
Sept. 15, 1905-Oct. 25, 1974


Niles Daily Star, Monday, October 28, 1974, page 2, col. 1-2, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES--Ora Lee Erving, 68, of 2016 Fulkerson Rd., died at 11:20 a.m. Friday at Pawating Hospital after a short illness.

A member of Mt. Galilee Baptist church, Miss Erving was born Sept. 15, 1906 in Sunflower, Miss.  A homemaker, she moved to Niles in 1944, coming from Detroit.

She is survived by a cousin, Naomi Carter of Niles.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Pifer Chapel of the Swem-Smith Funeral Home with the Rev.M.D. Forrest of Mt. Galilee Baptist Church officiating.

Friends may call after 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

 

Hubbard, Nathaniel F.

Nathaniel F. Hubbard
Nov. 20, 1894-Sept. 24, 1974


Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, September 25, 1974, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library

NILES--Nathaniel F. Hubbard, 79, of 1141 Maple St., died at 3:15 p.m. Tuesday in Pawating Hospital after an extended illness.

A retired cabinet maker, he was born Nov. 20, 1894, in Bad Axe, Mich.

Mr. Hubbard is survived by a son, Elmer Edward Hubbard of Chicago.

Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m Friday in Silverbrook Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements were made by the Halbritter Funeral Home.

 

Wells, Sarah M. 1842-1924

Sarah M. Wells
Jan. 28, 1842-April. 12, 1924


Niles Daily Star, Monday, April 14, 1924, page 8, Niles District Library, Niles Biography Files: Wells Family

Mrs. J.N. Wells, 82, Former Resident of Niles, is Dead

Mrs. Sarah Wells, widow of J. Nelson Wells, a former resident of Niles, and mother of Mrs. Wava Platt of this city, died Saturday evening at 7 o'clock at her home, 257 Winans avenue in Benton Harbor. She was born in Canada on January 28, 1842.  She is survived by two daughters and two sons who are Ralph Wells, Benton Harbor; Mrs. James Gillespie, Berrien Springs, Mrs. Wava Platt of Niles and Dale O. Wells of Los Angeles, Calif. The funeral services will be held Wesnesday[sic] afternoon at 1:30 o'clock at the Easelhort under-taking rooms in Benton Harbor. The body will be brought to Niles for burial in Silver Brook cemetery.

Note:  This incorrectly states name of husband as J. Nelson Wells; she was the widow of John MILTON Wells.

 

Wells, Charles P. 1834-1884

Dr. Charles P. Wells
1834-Oct. 10, 1884


Niles Democrat, Saturday, October 11, 1884, page 5, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library


Dr. C.P. Wells, of Pokagon, died at his residence on Friday morning.  Announcement of his funeral is not made as we go to press, but will probably be on Sunday.  This is the third death in Anchor Lodge, A.O.U.W., of this city, since its founding nearly seven years ago.


Niles Mirror, Wednesday, October 15, 1884, page 5, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library


--Dr. C.P. Well died at his residence in Pokagon of consumption of the bowels on Friday morning last, in the 51st year of his age.  His funeral took place on Sunday and was attended by the members of Anchor Lodge, A.O.U.W. of this city, of which he was a member.  Dr. Wells commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Joel Loomis, skilled eclectic practitioner of this city, and attended closely to his studies and became thoroughly versed in his profession.  In 1866 he located at Pokagon and entered at once into an extensive and successful practice, and by his skill, kindness of disposition, and integrity, endeared himself to all his acquaintances.  His loss will be severely felt, not only by his family, but a large number of people.

 

Wells, Mary

Mary Wells
Abt. 1859-Aug. 28, 1866


Niles Republican, Saturday, October 13, 1866, page 2, col. 6, microfilm Niles District Library

The City Sexton submitted his quarterly report of interments, of which the following is a summary:

. . .

Aug. 28, Mary Wells, daughter of F. Wells--Age 7 years, at Bertrand, of Quinsy. .  . .